System and method for precise positioning with touchscreen gestures

ABSTRACT

A system and method for precise positioning of items such as communication pings in a map of a multiplayer game with touchscreen gestures. Specifically, the method can include displaying a dynamic image or map on a touchscreen and receiving a touch gesture thereon. The touch gesture can begin at a tool selection icon and end at a release location within the map. Then the method can include, in response to the touch gesture, displaying a precision placement tool that depicts a portion of the map obscured by the received touch gesture. The depiction can be an enlarged depiction of the obscured portion and is displayed outside of the obscured portion. Finally, the method can include displaying a change to the map at the release location when the touch gesture ends. Specifically, at the release location, items such as communication pings can be placed onto the map.

BACKGROUND

As online multiplayer gameplay moves to mobile devices and handheldtouchscreen devices, size constraints of such mobile device touchscreenspresent various challenges. For example, multiplayer online battle arena(MOBA) games or other multiplayer strategy video games oftentimesinvolve vast virtual worlds or virtual maps in an isometric perspectiveview. For navigation, communication, and other in-game actions andcommunication within these virtual worlds, maps are often selectable fordisplay within the game. However, such maps face various disadvantageson touchscreens. For instance, maps on generally smaller touchscreensare presented with a decreased size that is difficult to see. More so,fingers or thumbs can obscure portions of the map when being manipulatedthrough touch gestures. This can lead to decreased accuracy whenperforming operations that require precision placement within a map,such as placing communication pings or other such reference markers ontothe map and/or within the virtual world of the game.

To address these challenges, various games and apps on mobile devicesand handheld touchscreen devices provide features such as panning and/orpinch to zoom tools and interfaces. However, while such solutions canincrease accuracy, they are generally too slow for live game play. Forinstance, MOBA games can present a variety of objects, and game piecesare often animated and movable in real-time, thus requiring increasedprocessing resources. Furthermore, panning and pinch to zoom tools andinterfaces also limit how much of the map can be viewed at one time,which is disadvantageous in strategy games where seeing a big-pictureview of the game's virtual world via maps can be beneficial indeveloping a game strategy.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to precise positioning withtouchscreen gestures. More specifically, embodiments relate to systemsand methods for viewing portions of a dynamic image (such as a map in amultiplayer video game) that is obscured by touchscreen gestures. Inessence, the described embodiments facilitate the ability to view inreal time what is beneath a player's thumb or finger in contact with atouchscreen in order to accurately place communication pings onto a map.

In some example embodiments, precise location selection on a touchscreenduring a multiplayer game is accomplished via a precision placement toolthat displays in real-time an enlarged depiction of a portion of the mapobscured by a touch gesture, while a majority of the remainder of themap is still simultaneously displayed for the player. For instance, amethod herein can include the steps of displaying the dynamic image ormap on a touchscreen and receiving a touch gesture thereon. The touchgesture can begin at a tool selection icon and end at a release locationwithin the map. For example, the touch gesture can begin by a player'sfinger touching the tool selection icon and dragging of that fingeracross the map to the release location. The method can then include, inresponse to the touch gesture, displaying a precision placement toolthat depicts a portion of the map obscured by the received touchgesture. The depiction can be an enlarged depiction of the obscuredportion and is displayed outside of the obscured portion. Finally, themethod can include displaying a change to the map at the releaselocation when the touch gesture ends. Specifically, by way ofnon-limiting example, operations such as communication pings, or itemsthat signal communications between players, can be performed or placedonto the map at the release location.

In some embodiments, the precision placement tool can display theobscured portion of the map at a fixed location relative to the map. Forinstance, the obscured portion under a finger making a touch gesture canbe presented at a fixed location of a user interface. In some otherembodiments, the precision placement tool can display the obscuredportion of the map at a fixed distance away from the obscured portion.More specifically, the precision placement tool can be virtually orvisually tethered to the obscured portion throughout the touch gesture(e.g., as the finger drags across the map to the release location), suchthat the obscured portion is presented at a fixed distance relative tothe finger making the touch gesture. In some further embodiments, theprecision placement tool can include visual context indicatorscommunicating additional information to the player during the touchgesture. For example, the additional information can include what typeof signal will be released at the release location and, when passingover some fixed objects, can include what type of fixed object thesignal will be associated with if released at a current location. Insome embodiments, the precision placement tool is selectable from a menuor array of different precision placement tools for communicatingdifferent communication pings.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary operating environment in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary implementation of asystem for precise positioning with touch gestures in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary dynamic image to be displayed on a touchscreenin accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is the exemplary dynamic image of FIG. 2A with a map selected bytouch gestures in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3A is the exemplary dynamic image of FIG. 2B with a precisionplacement tool displaying a portion of the map in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is the exemplary dynamic image of FIG. 3A upon release of theprecision placement tool, leaving behind a communication ping in itsplace in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is the exemplary dynamic image of FIG. 3A displaying associatedvisual context indicators extending from the precision placement toolwhile a reticle of the precision placement tool intersects with agraphic object of the map in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an exemplary dynamic image withthe precision placement tool fixed at a predetermined location on themap in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a method for precise positioning withtouchscreen gestures in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitablefor use in implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” can be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

The online multiplayer video gaming industry has gained immensepopularity across all demographics around the globe. As onlinemultiplayer video games move to mobile platforms for play on touchscreendevices, such as tablets and smart phones, some modifications arerequired for both how the game is displayed and how users interface withit (e.g., control the game). For instance, size constraints oftouchscreens present various challenges, such as game elements appearingtoo small. However, limited screen size and processing capabilities ofsuch mobile devices have presented challenges in providing afull-featured multiplayer video game via a mobile platform.

Current solutions to these constraints primarily include panning and/orpinch to zoom operations and interfaces. Pinch to zoom operations canincrease accuracy of defining target locations during gameplay, forexample, because they allow a close-up view of a particular location.Likewise, panning operations conveniently allow navigating maps whilestill in such a zoomed-in view. However, these solutions are often tooslow for live game play, particularly due to the large processingresources required for the various animations and movable-in-real-timegame pieces involved in multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games,for example. Panning and pinch to zoom operations also limit how much ofthe map can be viewed at one time, complicating a player's ability tosee a big-picture view of the game's virtual world while developing agame strategy.

As such, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to asystem and computer-implemented method for selecting or in other wordsdefining a precise location of a dynamic image, such as a live actionmap on a MOBA game. This precise location selection is accomplished viaa precision placement tool that displays in real-time an enlargeddepiction of a portion of the map obscured by a touch gesture.Specifically, by implementation of this precision placement tool,portions of the map obscured by the player's fingers or thumbs (or otherinput tool, such as a stylus) while performing the touch gesture on amobile device touchscreen can be viewed in real-time, while a remainderof the map is still simultaneously displayed for the player. The portionof the map obscured by the player's fingers or thumbs can also bedepicted as zoomed in or enlarged to assist the player in accuratelyplacing items such as communication pings onto the map. A communicationping, as is generally known in the art, is facilitated by a playerselecting a message and a defining a location on a map, andcommunicating the selected message and defined location to his or herteammates (e.g., via a network), such that the teammates can receive themessage and the location. The precision placement tool can display theobscured portion of the map at a fixed location relative to the map(e.g., an upper left-hand corner of the map) or at a location that is aconstant distance away from the obscured portion and virtually orvisually tethered to the obscured portion.

In some embodiments, the precision placement tool includes visualcontext indicators, such as an icon indicating a type of communicationping (e.g., a “send help now” message) to be placed upon activation ofthe precision placement tool on the map (i.e., release of a touchgesture controlling the precision placement tool) and/or an iconindicating the type of object in the virtual game that the communicationping will be attached to or associated with (e.g., a fixed tower withinthe game) if the touch gesture is released in its current location.Additionally or alternatively, the visual context indicators can includechanging colors displayed around or on the precision placement tool. Insome embodiments, the precision placement tool is selectable from a menuor array of different precision placement tools for communicatingdifferent communication pings (e.g., “send help now,” “attack thislocation”, etc.).

Turning now to FIG. 1A, a schematic depiction is provided illustratingone exemplary operating environment 100 of which an embodiment of thepresent disclosure can be employed. It should be understood that thisand other arrangements described herein are set forth only as examples.Other arrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions,orders, groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to orinstead of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether.Further, many of the elements described herein are functional entitiesthat may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or inconjunction with other components, and in any suitable combination andlocation. Various functions described herein as being performed by oneor more entities may be carried out by hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware. For instance, various functions may be carried out by aprocessor executing instructions stored in memory.

The operating environment 100 of FIG. 1A includes a server device 110that provides a service to one or more client devices, such as gamingclients 115,120, for instructing game play and/or settings in a virtualgaming environment over a network 130, such as the Internet. The gamingclients 115,120 may be implemented on one or more processors as laterdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the gaming clients 115,120 aremobile electronic devices having touchscreens thereon, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptop computers. The server device 110 and thegaming clients 115,120 may communicate in a wired or wireless mannerover the network 130.

In some embodiments, the server device 110 is coupled, directly orindirectly, to a database 140 for facilitating the storage and queryingof records corresponding to a plurality of game play instructions,actions, objects (e.g., virtual game pieces/characters, weapons,buildings, etc.), maps, and/or settings. The database 140 includes,among other things, a relational database or similar storage structureaccessible by the server device 110. In accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein, the database 140 stores a plurality of records thateach corresponds to game play instructions, actions, objects, maps,and/or settings.

The server device 110 includes a gaming server accessible by any of thegaming clients 115,120 and/or a data server for supporting anapplication of any of the gaming clients 115,120, over the network 130.The gaming server can support any type of application, including thosethat facilitate live game play. The server device 110 can furtherdetermine relationships (e.g., teams) between the gaming clients115,120. In various embodiments, the server device 110 communicatesactions commanded via one or more of the gaming clients 115,120, toanother one or more of the gaming clients 115,120 for presentationthereon via user interfaces or the like, as later described herein.

Network 130 may be wired, wireless, or both. Network 130 may includemultiple networks, or a network of networks, but is shown in simple formso as not to obscure aspects of the present disclosure. By way ofexample, network 130 can include one or more wide area networks (WANs),one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more public networks,such as the Internet, one or more private networks, and/or one or moretelecommunications networks. Where network 130 includes a wirelesstelecommunications network, components such as a base station, acommunications tower, or even access points (as well as othercomponents) may provide wireless connectivity. Networking environmentsare commonplace in enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and theInternet. Accordingly, network 130 is not described in significantdetail.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the serverdevice 110 or the gaming clients 115, 120 can each be a computing devicethat is capable of accessing the Internet, such as the World Wide Web,and/or a telecommunications network. Either one of the server device 110or the gaming clients 115, 120 might take on a variety of forms, such asa personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a tabletcomputer, a wearable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), anMP3 player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a video player, ahandheld communications device, a smartphone, a smart watch, aworkstation, any combination of these delineated devices, or any othersuitable device.

It should be understood that any number of the aforementioned devicesmay be employed in operating environment 100 within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Each may comprise a single device or multipledevices cooperating in a distributed environment. Additionally, othercomponents not shown may also be included within the distributedenvironment. It should further be understood that operating environment100 shown in FIG. 1A is an example of one suitable computing systemarchitecture. Each of the servers, gaming clients, networks, anddatabases shown in FIG. 1A may be implemented via a computing device,such as computing device 700, later described with reference for FIG. 7,for example. The components may communicate with each other via network130.

Next, FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram of operational modules of anexemplary one of the gaming clients, specifically gaming client 115, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It is notedthat the depicted implementation is merely exemplary, and not intendedto be limiting in any way, as each component can be arranged in variousconfigurations, spread across a number of computing devices, combinedwith other components or one another, arranged to communicate over anetwork, or any combination of the foregoing including others notmentioned. For example, each of the operational modules may comprise acombination of hardware components and/or computer instructions storedon computer-readable media and executable on a processor thereof, aslater described in regards to computing device 700 below.

As depicted in FIG. 1B, the operational modules of the gaming client 115may comprise a game executing component 210, a communication component220, and a graphical user interface (GUI) component 230. The gameexecuting component 210 can be configured for executing a gameassociated therewith, such as MOBA games described herein. In someembodiments, executing the game may include displaying a dynamic image,such as the dynamic image 10 later described herein and depicted inFIGS. 2A-5. The communication component 220 can be configured fornetwork communications between the gaming client 115, the gaming client120, and/or the server device 110 via network 130.

The GUI component 230 can be configured for displaying the dynamic imageand various manipulatable features therein, such as menus, virtualjoysticks, fixed and/or movable objects, or the like. In someembodiments, the GUI component 230 can further comprise agesture-detecting component 240 configured for detecting a touch gestureon a touchscreen of the gaming client 115, as later described herein.For example, the gesture-detecting component 240 can display a map inresponse to a beginning of detecting a touch gesture. Thegesture-detecting component 240 can also respond to detecting thebeginning of a gesture by displaying a depiction of an obscured portionof the map that is obscured by a player's finger or another object, aslater described herein. Upon release of a touch gesture (i.e., at an endof the touch gesture), the gesture-detecting component 240 or anothersub-element of the GUI component 230 can present and/or display acommunication ping at the release location, as later described herein.

Specifically, the GUI component 230 can also comprise a communicationping component 250 configured for displaying on the dynamic image thecommunication ping (e.g., an icon, symbol, and/or text message), and canreceive a location associated therewith from the gesture-detectingcomponent 240. The communication ping component 250 can further beconfigured for sending information associated with the communicationping to other ones of the gaming clients, such as the gaming client 120via the network 130. The communication ping component 250 can then sendthe generated communication ping to the server device 110 through thenetwork 130 via the communication component 220 of the gaming client115.

In some embodiments, the server device 110 can receive the communicationping, identify other gaming clients associated with teammates of aplayer sending the communication ping, and relay the communication pingto those other gaming clients. For example, the server 110 and/or thedatabase 140 associated therewith can store a plurality of playeridentification data which correspond to one or more of the gamingclients 115,120 and/or otherwise are communicated to the server device110 along with the communication ping. In this example, gaming clientsreceiving the communication ping are referred to as the receiver gamingclients (e.g., gaming client 120). The receiver gaming clients can beconfigured to receive the communication ping to be displayed in adynamic image associated with the game via GUI components thereof.Specifically, the receiver gaming clients can each receive thecommunication ping through their corresponding communication components(e.g., substantially identical to the communication component 220),interpret the communication ping with their communication pingcomponents (e.g., substantially identical to the communication pingcomponent 250) to identify a map location and message of thecommunication ping, and then use the GUI component thereof (e.g.,substantially identical to the GUI component 230) to display thecommunication pint at an appropriate location on the dynamic images ofthe receiver gaming clients. Although identified in this example asreceiver gaming clients, note that components and capabilities of eachof the gaming clients 115,120 may be identical to each other withoutdeparting from the scope of the technology herein. For example, thereceiver gaming clients can add a communication ping which then iscommunicated to one or more other gaming clients.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-4, an example depiction of a dynamic image 10and a precision placement tool 12 for use therewith is presented on adisplay screen, such as a touchscreen of a mobile electronic device. Themobile electronic device can include the computing device 700 asdescribed below and depicted in FIG. 7. Likewise, the touchscreen cancomprise any of the I/O components 720 described below and depicted inFIG. 7. For example, the touchscreen can particularly compriseembodiments of I/O components 720 with gesture recognition on screen andtouch recognition associated with a display of the computing device 700.

The dynamic image 10 can include movable images or images with objectsmovable in realtime therein, such as video images, animated images,images comprising movable game pieces, or the like. For example, asdepicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the dynamic image 10 can include visualdepictions of at least a portion of a dynamic virtual world 14 for amultiplayer game (e.g., a MOBA game or the like). The visual depictionscan comprise fixed graphic objects, such as fixed graphic object 16, andmovable graphic objects, such as movable graphic object 18. Visualdepictions can include, among other things, animated and/or movable gamepieces and/or destinations such as towers, castles, roads, pathways,walls, fences, barricades, trees, mountains, streams, weapons, targets,rewards, or the like. Game pieces, like the game piece 20 depicted inboth a map 22 and the dynamic virtual world 14 in FIGS. 2A and 2B, canrepresent locations of various players in the multiplayer game and/ortools or weapons useable by the various players. The visual depictionscan display such fixed or movable graphic objects in a perspective viewand/or a plan view. However, the system and methods herein can be usedwithin other dynamic images that are not part of a multiplayer game or asingle player game without departing from the scope of the technologydescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the dynamic image 10 can comprise acontinually-displayed or selectably-displayed mini-map 23, as in FIGS.2A and 2B. The mini-map 23 or other such graphic depiction may provide aplan view of the dynamic virtual world 14 in its entirety and/or largeportions of the dynamic virtual world 14. For example, as depicted inFIG. 2A, a mini-map 23 or other icon can be continually displayed at acorner of the touchscreen and then, when selected by a touch gesture(e.g., via selection of the precision placement tool 12), the map 22 canbe displayed as an enlarged version of the mini-map 23 for interactiontherewith in that same corner or in another portion of the touchscreen,as depicted in FIG. 2B. By way of non-limiting example, the map 22 canbe a dynamic map or other dynamic image including the fixed and/ormovable graphic objects 16,18 and/or representative depictions thereof,among other things. Example embodiments described herein primarily referto the map 22 as the dynamic image 10 to which the virtual tools (e.g.,the precision placement tool 12) and methods described herein areapplied. However, the virtual tools and methods described herein arealso applicable to other dynamic images (e.g., the dynamic virtual world14, videos, augmented reality images, animations, or the like) withoutdeparting from the scope of the technology herein.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the map 22 and/or the mini-map 23 can beused to present a big-picture view of the entire dynamic virtual world14, current conditions within that virtual world, current locations of aplayer's teammates, and communication pings 24 (as depicted in FIG. 3B)left by various players for teammate players, among other things. Insome embodiments, a player can cause specific actions to be performed atparticular locations within the dynamic virtual world 14 via the map 22,such as placement of the communication pings 24 for display by computingdevices of one or more other players of the multiplayer game, andviewing by the one or more other players, as depicted in FIG. 3B. Thecommunication pings 24 can include communication icons, symbols,graphics, and/or text announcements indicating to at least some of theplayers (e.g., teammates) of the multiplayer game that the playerplacing the communication ping 24 needs help, desires a certain actionto be taken at that location (e.g., attack, bring provisions, etc.), haslearned of some valuable resources or clues at that location, or thelike. In some embodiments, the communication pings 24 can appear in thedynamic virtual world 14, the mini-map 23, and/or the map 22. In somefurther embodiments, such communication pings 24 can be applied usingthe precision placement tool 12.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the precision placement tool 12 can beused for placing such communication pings 24, commanding other in-gamechanges, and/or providing enhanced visuals of the map 22. The precisionplacement tool 12 can be selectable and movable via a touch gesture onthe touchscreen. A touch gesture can include, for instance, tapping thetouchscreen with one or more fingers, one or more thumbs, a stylus, orother such selection tool. Additionally or alternatively, a touchgesture can include pressing and dragging a finger, thumb, stylus, orother such selection tool across the touchscreen in a continuous fashionand/or releasing the finger, thumb, stylus, or other such selection toolfrom the touchscreen at a release location 26, indicating an end of thetouch gesture. Specifically, the touch gesture can begin at a toolselection icon, such as the tool selection icon 28, continue into themap 22 as depicted in FIG. 3A, and end at the release location 26 withinthe map 22 as depicted in FIG. 3B. For example, the precision placementtool 12 can be selectable, via the touch gesture, from a menu 30 ofprecision placement tools or communication tools, such as the menu 30 oftool selection icons to the left of the map 22 in FIGS. 2A-5. However,other methods of selecting the precision placement tool 12 can be usedwithout departing from the scope of the technology described herein. Insome embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 3B, the precision placement tool12 is operable to display a change to the dynamic image 10 or map 22 atthe release location 26. For example, the change to the dynamic image 10can be placement of the communication ping 24 onto the map 22 at alocation within the multi-player game associated with the releaselocation 26 on the map 22.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as one of ordinary skill mayappreciate, a player's (i.e., a user of a computing device executing aMOBA game) touch gesture can obscure portions of the dynamic image 10 ormap 22 (e.g., the player's finger or thumb can block or obscure aportion of the map 22 corresponding to a location where the touchgesture is sensed by the touchscreen). This blocked or obscured portionof the map 22 or dynamic image 10 can be referred to herein as theobscured portion 32, and is illustrated directly below a player's finger33 displayed in broken lines in FIG. 3A. Thus, once the precisionplacement tool 12 is selected, and throughout the touch gesture (priorto release at the release location 26), the precision placement tool 12and/or any visual depictions therein can be displayed outside of theobscured portion 32, allowing the player to see exactly what is beingselected if the touch gesture ends at its current location.

The precision placement tool 12 can have boundaries 34 of any size orshape and can present within its boundaries 34 a revealing view 36 ofthe obscured portion 32 of the dynamic image 10 or map 22. In oneembodiment, the precision placement tool 12 can be circular and/or canbe depicted as an object, such as a magnifying glass. However, otherbounding shapes can be used without departing from the scope of thetechnology described herein. Furthermore, the revealing view 36 of theobscured portion 32 can be enlarged or magnified in comparison with therest of the dynamic image 10 or map 22, presenting a zoomed-in view ofthe obscured portion 32. However, in some embodiments, the revealingview 36 can be depicted at an identical size as displayed on the map 22without departing from the scope of the technology herein. For example,a magnified version of the obscured portion 32 in the revealing view 36can be advantageous on a touch-screen of a phone, since the map 22 maybe small and more difficult to make out visual details. However, forlarger touch-screen devices, the revealing view 36 can simply displaythe obscured portion 32 within the boundaries 34 thereof withoutmagnification without departing from the scope of the technologydescribed herein. The precision placement tool 12 can additionally oralternatively include a reticle configuration and/or a cross-hair 38within its boundaries 34 that overlays the revealing view 36 of theobscured portion 32, as depicted in FIG. 3A.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4, the precisionplacement tool 12 and the revealing view 36 therein can be displayed onthe map 22, throughout the touch gesture, in a predetermined directionfrom the obscured portion 32 and at a predetermined distance from theobscured portion, regardless of where the obscured portion 32 is on themap 22. Furthermore, the precision placement tool 12 can furthercomprise a connecting graphic (not shown) that extends from the obscuredportion 32 on the map 22 to the boundaries 34 of the precision placementtool 12 and/or to the revealing view 36 therein. For example, theconnecting graphic can resemble a handle of a magnifying glass or canresemble a tail of a speech bubble that narrows as it approaches theobscured portion 32. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 5, the precisionplacement tool 12 and/or the revealing view 36 therein is displayed in afixed, pre-determined location on the touchscreen, regardless of alocation of the obscured portion 32 throughout the touch gesture. Forexample, the precision placement tool 12 and/or the revealing view 36therein can be fixed at an upper left-hand corner of the map 22,displaying an enlarged depiction of the obscured portion 32 of the map22.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 4, one or more visual contextindicators 42,44 can be displayed at or proximate to the precisionplacement tool 12 during the touch gesture. The visual contextindicators 42,44 can be icons extending from any side of the precisionplacement tool 12 or the revealing view 36 therein, and/or can include achange in appearance or a change in color of the boundaries 34 aroundthe revealing view 36. In some embodiments, the visual contextindicators 42,44 can visually communicate to the player what type ofaction will be performed to the dynamic image 10, map 22, or dynamicvirtual world 14 associated therewith at the release location 26. Insome embodiments, the visual context indicators 42,44 can comprise asignal type visual context indicator 42 and a target type visual contextindicator 44. Specifically, the signal type visual context indicator 42can communicate a signal type to be communicated over a network toplayers (such as teammates in the multiplayer game) at the releaselocation when the touch gesture ends/is released. Likewise, the targettype visual context indicator 44 can communicate to players a targetobject on the map that the signal type will be associated with at therelease location. For example, an “attack” icon, as depicted in FIG. 4can be a signal type, and a “tower” icon can appear when a cross-hair iscentered over a tower depicted on the map 22. That is, when a particularportion of the reticle or cross-hair 38 overlays specific ones of thefixed graphic objects 16 (e.g., one of the towers) or movable graphicobjects 18 of the map 22, one of the visual context indicators 42,44,such as the target type visual context indicator 44, can be altered orcan be displayed at, around, or proximate to the precision placementtool 12. Additionally or alternatively, the boundaries 34 can be alteredin shape, color, style, or the like to indicate that the precisionplacement tool 12 overlays a particular target object (e.g., fixed ormovable graphic objects 16,18).

Now referring to FIG. 6, each block of method, described herein,comprises a computing process that can be performed using anycombination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance,various functions can be carried out by a processor executinginstructions stored in memory. The method can also be embodied ascomputer-usable instructions stored on computer storage media. Themethod 600 can be provided by a standalone application, a service orhosted service (standalone or in combination with another hostedservice), or a plug-in to another product, to name a few. For example,as described herein, the method 600 is a virtual tool within othersoftware such as a virtual game. In addition, the method 600 isdescribed, by way of example, with respect to the dynamic image 10 ormap 22 on the touchscreen of FIGS. 1-5. However, these methods canadditionally or alternatively be executed by any one system, or anycombination of systems, including, but not limited to, those describedherein.

Now referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram depicts a method 600 for preciselocation selection within a dynamic image, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. In accordance with variousembodiments, the method 600 can be employed to accurately define a verylocation-specific communication ping to be transmitted to othercomputing devices within a network. As depicted in block 602, the method600 can comprise a step of displaying the dynamic image 10 on thetouchscreen. The dynamic image 10, as described above, can include themap 22 or other dynamic images with the fixed and movable graphicobjects 16,18 therein. For example, the map 22 can be opened by a tap orclick onto a map icon (not shown), or the map 22 can remain openthroughout game play in the multiplayer game manipulated via thetouchscreen.

Furthermore, as depicted in block 604, the method 600 can comprisereceiving a touch gesture on the touchscreen and/or the displayeddynamic image 10 (e.g., within the map 22). The touch gesture can beginat the tool selection icon 28 and end at the release location 26 withinthe dynamic image 10, as described above. For example, the touch gesturecan be received by the touchscreen when the player touches a finger tothe touchscreen at the tool selection icon 28 and drags that finger overportions of the map 22. A location on the map 22 at which the playerreleases or removes the finger from the touchscreen is the releaselocation 26 where some action occurs, as described below.

As depicted in block 606, the method 600 can also comprise, in responseto the touch gesture, displaying the precision placement tool 12 thatdepicts a portion of the dynamic image 10 (e.g., a portion of the map22) obscured by the received touch gesture. The revealing view 36 isdisplayed outside of the obscured portion 32, such as at a fixedlocation on the map or a set distance away from the obscured portion 32throughout the touch gesture, as described above. The revealing view 36can be an enlarged depiction of the obscured portion 32. In someembodiments, the revealing view 36 can be enlarged to include additionaldetails not provided and/or not viewable in the map 22 without theprecision placement tool 12. The step of block 606 can further includedisplaying the visual context indicators 42,44 as part of or inconjunction with the precision placement tool 12. As noted above, thevisual context indicators 42,44 can include icons, colors, symbols,text, or the like that communicate to the player what type of actionwill be performed to the map 22 or corresponding dynamic virtual world14 at a point on the map 22 or within the dynamic virtual world 14 wherethe touch gesture ends (i.e., at the release location 26).

In some embodiments, as depicted in block 608, the method 600 canfurther comprise displaying a change to the dynamic image 10 (e.g., themap 22 or corresponding dynamic virtual world 14) at the releaselocation 26. For example, this change can be a placement of acommunication ping 24 onto the dynamic image 10, map 22, orcorresponding dynamic virtual world 14. The communication ping 24 can beviewable by a plurality of players in the multi-player game at alocation associated with the release location 26 within the multi-playergame or the dynamic virtual world 14 thereof.

Furthermore, some embodiments of the method 600 can comprise, inresponse to the reticle or cross-hair 38 of the precision placement tool12 intersecting one of the fixed or movable graphic objects 16,18 duringthe touch gesture, displaying or visually altering the visual contextindicator (e.g., the target type visual context indicator 44) associatedwith the one of the fixed or movable graphic objects 16,18, as depictedin block 610. For example, one of the visual context indicators 42,44extending from the precision placement tool 12 can represent and/orcommunicate to a player a signal type to be communicated to the player'steammates at the release location 26. Likewise, another one of thevisual context indicators 42,44 extending from the precision placementtool 12 can represent and/or communicate to a player a target object onthe map 22, such as a tower or barricade. However, the target typevisual context indicator 44 can only appear when the reticle orcross-hair 38 of the precision placement tool 12 intersect withparticular ones of the fixed and/or movable graphic objects 16,18 on themap 22. Thus, in this embodiment, if the touch gesture is released whilethe target type visual context indicator 44 is present, thecorresponding signal type can be associated with that target object atthe release location 26 within the map 22 and/or within thecorresponding dynamic virtual world 14. In various embodiments, thesignal type can correspond with certain communication pings 24 ormessages appearing to a player's teammates, a specific one of otherteammates, and/or all other players of the multiplayer game.

Having described embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryoperating environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure canbe implemented is described below in order to provide a general contextfor various aspects of the present disclosure. Referring initially toFIG. 7 in particular, an exemplary operating environment forimplementing embodiments of the present disclosure is shown anddesignated generally as computing device 700. Computing device 700 isbut one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intendedto suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of thedisclosed embodiments. Neither should the computing device 700 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated.

The embodiments herein can be described in the general context ofcomputer code or machine-useable instructions, includingcomputer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executedby a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant orother handheld device. Generally, program modules including routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.The described embodiments can be practiced in a variety of systemconfigurations, including hand-held devices, consumer electronics,general-purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc. Thedescribed embodiments can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices thatare linked through a communications network.

With reference to FIG. 7, computing device 700 includes a bus 710 thatdirectly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory 712, one ormore processors 714, one or more presentation components 716,input/output (I/O) ports 718, input/output (I/O) components 720, and anillustrative power supply 722. In some example embodiments, thecomputing device 700 can be or can comprise a mobile electronic devicesuch as a smart phone, tablet, touchscreen laptop, or the like. Bus 710represents what can be one or more busses (such as an address bus, databus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of FIG. 7 areshown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineatingvarious components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines wouldmore accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one can consider apresentation component such as a display device to be an I/O component.Also, processors have memory. The inventor recognizes that such is thenature of the art, and reiterates that the diagram of FIG. 7 is merelyillustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be used inconnection with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,”“server,” “laptop,” “hand-held device,” etc., as all are contemplatedwithin the scope of FIG. 7 and reference to “computing device.”

Computing device 700 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computing device 700 and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprisecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediaincludes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by computing device 700.Computer storage media does not comprise signals per se. Communicationmedia typically embodies computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signalsuch as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

Memory 712 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatileand/or nonvolatile memory. The memory can be removable, non-removable,or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-statememory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 700includes one or more processors that read data from various entitiessuch as memory 712 or I/O components 720. Presentation component(s) 616present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplarypresentation components include a display device, speaker, printingcomponent, vibrating component, etc.

I/O ports 718 allow computing device 700 to be logically coupled toother devices including I/O components 720, some of which can be builtin. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad,satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc. The I/Ocomponents 720 can provide a natural user interface (NUI) that processesair gestures, voice, or other physiological inputs generated by a user.In some instances, inputs can be transmitted to an appropriate networkelement for further processing. An NUI can implement any combination ofspeech recognition, stylus recognition, facial recognition, biometricrecognition, gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to thescreen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, and touch recognition (asdescribed in more detail below) associated with a display of thecomputing device 700. The computing device 700 can be equipped withdepth cameras, such as stereoscopic camera systems, infrared camerasystems, RGB camera systems, touchscreen technology, and combinations ofthese, for gesture detection and recognition. Additionally, thecomputing device 700 can be equipped with accelerometers or gyroscopesthat enable detection of motion. The output of the accelerometers orgyroscopes can be provided to the display of the computing device 700 torender immersive augmented reality or virtual reality.

As can be understood, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for,among other things, systems and methods for precise positioning on atouchscreen. The present disclosure has been described in relation toparticular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to beillustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which thepresent disclosure pertains without departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that embodiments of the presentdisclosure are one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects setforth above, together with other advantages which are obvious andinherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certainfeatures and subcombinations are of utility and can be employed withoutreference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated byand is within the scope of the claims.

1. A computer-implemented method for precise location selection of adynamic image, the method comprising: displaying the dynamic image on atouchscreen; receiving a touch gesture on the displayed dynamic image,wherein the touch gesture begins at a tool selection icon and ends at arelease location within the dynamic image; and in response to the touchgesture, displaying a precision placement tool that depicts a portion ofthe dynamic image obscured by the received touch gesture, wherein thedepiction is displayed outside of the obscured portion.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the depiction is anenlarged depiction of the obscured portion of the dynamic image.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic image is adynamic map depicting both fixed and movable graphic objects of amulti-player game.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3,further comprising displaying a change to the dynamic image at therelease location on the dynamic image.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 4, wherein the change to the dynamic image is aplacement of a communication ping onto the dynamic image, wherein thecommunication ping is viewable by a plurality of players in themulti-player game at a location within the multi-player game associatedwith the release location.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim3, wherein the precision placement tool further depicts a reticle as anoverlay to the depiction.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6,further comprising, in response to the reticle intersecting one of thefixed or movable graphic objects, displaying or visually altering avisual context indicator associated with the one of the fixed or movablegraphic objects.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinthe depiction is displayed in a fixed, pre-determined location on thetouchscreen regardless of a location of the obscured portion.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the precision placementtool comprises an enlarged depiction of the portion of the dynamic imageobscured and one or more visual context indicators communicating whattype of action will be performed to the dynamic image at the releaselocation on the dynamic image.
 10. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the one or more visual context indicators communicateat least one of the following: a signal type to be communicated to aplurality of players in a multiplayer game associated with the dynamicimage at the release location, and a target object on the dynamic imagethat the signal type will be associated with at the release location.11. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer-useableinstructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause theone or more computing devices to perform operations comprising:displaying the dynamic image on a touchscreen; receiving a touch gestureon the displayed dynamic image, wherein the touch gesture begins at atool selection icon and ends at a release location within the dynamicimage; in response to the touch gesture, displaying a precisionplacement tool that depicts a portion of the dynamic image obscured bythe received touch gesture, wherein the depiction is an enlargeddepiction of the obscured portion and is displayed outside of theobscured portion; and displaying a change to the dynamic image at therelease location on the dynamic image when the touch gesture ends. 12.The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein thedepiction is displayed in a fixed, pre-determined location on thetouchscreen regardless of a location of the obscured portion.
 13. Thenon-transitory computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein thedepiction is displayed in a predetermined direction and distance fromthe obscured portion throughout the touch gesture and the precisionplacement tool further comprises a connecting graphic that extends fromthe obscured portion to the depiction.
 14. The non-transitory computerstorage medium of claim 11, wherein the precision placement toolcomprises one or more visual context indicators communicating what typeof action will be performed to the dynamic image at the release locationon the dynamic image.
 15. The non-transitory computer storage medium ofclaim 14, wherein the one or more visual context indicators communicateat least one of the following: a signal type to be communicated to aplurality of players in a multiplayer game associated with the dynamicimage at the release location, and a target object on the dynamic imagethat the signal type will be associated with at the release location.16. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein thedynamic image is a dynamic map depicting both fixed and movable graphicobjects of a multi-player game and the change to the dynamic image is aplacement of a communication ping onto the dynamic image, wherein thecommunication ping is viewable by a plurality of players in themulti-player game at a location within the multi-player game associatedwith the release location.
 17. The non-transitory computer storagemedium of claim 11, wherein the precision placement tool further depictsa reticle as an overlay to the depiction.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer storage medium of claim 17, wherein the computer-useableinstructions further cause the one or more computing devices to perform:displaying or visually altering, in response to the reticle intersectinga particular one of the fixed or movable graphic objects, a visualcontext indicator associated with the particular one of the fixed ormovable graphic objects.
 19. A system for precise location selection ofa dynamic image, the system comprising: at least one processor; at leastone data storage device communicably coupled with the at least oneprocessor, wherein the data storage device comprises a non-transitorycomputer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions that, whenused by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor toperform operations comprising: displaying the dynamic image on atouchscreen, wherein the dynamic image is a dynamic map depicting bothfixed and movable graphic objects of a multi-player game; receiving atouch gesture on the displayed dynamic image, wherein the touch gesturebegins at a tool selection icon and ends at a release location withinthe dynamic image; in response to the touch gesture, displaying aprecision placement tool that depicts a portion of the dynamic imageobscured by the received touch gesture, wherein the depiction is anenlarged depiction of the obscured portion and is displayed outside ofthe obscured portion, wherein the precision placement tool furthercomprises one or more visual context indicators communicating what typeof action will be performed to the dynamic image at the release locationon the dynamic image; and displaying a change to the dynamic image atthe release location on the dynamic image when the touch gesture ends.20. The system of claim 19, wherein the precision placement tool furtherdepicts a reticle as an overlay to the depiction, wherein thecomputer-useable instructions further cause the at least one processorto perform: displaying or visually altering, in response to the reticleintersecting a particular one of the fixed or movable graphic objects, avisual context indicator associated with the particular one of the fixedor movable graphic objects.